How will Biden’s Afghanistan debacle impact NASA’s Artemis return to

The chaos that erupted in Afghanistan following President Joe BidenJoe BidenMilley says civil war ‘likely’ in Afghanistan Southeastern parts of Louisiana could have power restored as late as Sept. 29 It’s time to transform our unemployment system MORE’s withdrawal of troops should have nothing to do with NASA’s Artemis return to the moon program. The two would not seem to be linked in any way. However, considering that Biden seems to have immolated his presidency by his Afghan retreat, his ability to affect anything, not to mention America’s renewed effort to return to the moon, is in question.

An active presidency can help to ensure the success of a project such as Artemis. Both Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson worked tirelessly to keep the Apollo program on track. President Jimmy CarterJimmy CarterWhat Joe Biden should have learned from Jimmy Carter Everyone has an opinion on Afghanistan — Do voters care? How many voters will stick with Biden? MORE intervened to save the space shuttle. President Bill ClintonWilliam (Bill) Jefferson ClintonBill Clinton fundraises for Terry McAuliffe in upstate New York The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by AT&T – Supreme Court lets Texas abortion law stand How many voters will stick with Biden? MORE rescued the space station from certain cancellations at a crucial time. Former NASA Administrator Jim BridenstineJames (Jim) Frederick BridenstineBlue Origin’s Jeff Bezos wages lawfare on NASA and SpaceX The billionaires’ space race is just the beginning The day President Kennedy sent America to the moon MORE once suggested that during the Trump presidency then-Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceHillicon Valley — Apple delays features to detect sexual exploitation ‘QAnon Shaman’ pleads guilty to Capitol riot charge Bill Clinton fundraises for Terry McAuliffe in upstate New York MORE could be counted upon to intervene when the space agency’s budget was in trouble in Congress. 

On the flip side, after President George W. Bush announced the Constellation program, he did not mention it again. The second attempt to return to the moon went off the rails only to be canceled by President Barack Obama. Neglect or even active hostility toward a high-profile space program can mean its death.

No one is going to do anything just because Biden wants it to happen. Afghanistan has called into question — even to his erstwhile friends — his ability to make sound decisions. Biden’s continued zombie presidency is likely to be a detriment to getting more funding for NASA, expanding and strengthening the Artemis Alliance, and keeping the return to the moon on schedule. 

That is not to say that Artemis is doomed. NASA Administrator Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonBiden to talk Russia, anti-corruption with Ukraine’s president Blue Origin’s Jeff Bezos wages lawfare on NASA and SpaceX Overnight Defense & National Security: US reports biggest day of Afghanistan airlifts